What to make with oats: budget-friendly ideas

Cheap, nourishing, satisfying and versatile – oats are one of the most hardworking ingredients in your kitchen, and for good reason. See what to make with oats with our best oat recipe ideas, discover the health benefits of oats, and top prep tips.

Senior Food Editor

Heather Taylor

10 best ways to use oats

Think outside the bowl of porridge – from baked oats to nutty flapjack bars, and even a savoury, veg-packed crumble. Put this staple budget-friendly ingredient to delicious use with our 10 best oat recipe ideas.

Browse oats in store

1. Baked oats

Kick off your day with a dose of slow-release carbohydrates and protein in this easy baked oat recipe. Prep this easy baked oats recipe at the beginning of the week, then switch up the toppings – try yogurt, whatever fruit you have to hand, or warm milk with a drizzle of honey.

2. Oat bars

These oat-packed apple, banana and pear bars are great for lunchboxes, and pack in an extra portion of fruit thanks to grated apple, pear and banana.

3. Oat pancakes

In this healthy, high protein oat pancake recipe, oats are blitzed to form a flour that makes these carrot cake-inspired pancakes extra satisfying. Cottage cheese adds protein and a creamy, tangy flavour.

4. Flapjacks

Flapjacks are a classic oaty bake. This peanut butter and jam flapjack traybake recipe is a proper family crowd-pleaser, and made with budget-friendly ingredients.

5. Bircher muesli

Prep a batch of Bircher muesli using oats soaked in milk the night before, then top with fresh fruit and nut butter the next day for a super-speedy and filling breakfast. Switch up the fruit for whatever you have to hand.

6. Oat crumble

Adding oats to your crumble mix makes the ingredients go further and creates an extra layer of flavour. Try this warming apple, pear and oat crumble, topped with lashings of custard.

7. Oat smoothies

Adding a handful of oats to your go-to smoothie recipe means you'll get the benefits of slow-release carbohydrates, protein and fibre. Try this fruity banana and strawberry smoothie, which gets its natural sweetness from dates.

8. Oat granola

Make a batch of this homemade spiced granola recipe to keep on hand for breakfasts during the week. With toasted oats, dried fruit, nuts and warming spices, it's heaven with thick Greek yogurt and whatever fruit you have to hand.

9. Savoury oat crumble

Hearty root vegetables are cooked in a creamy, herby sauce then crowned with a crunchy, toasty oat topping in this savoury crumble recipe. It elevates everyday ingredients into a hearty and comforting vegetarian family dinner.

10. Banana, peanut butter and oat muffins

These freezer-friendly banana and oat muffins, made with ripe bananas, oats and our Banana and Maple Peanut Butter, make brilliant lunchbox snacks or breakfasts on the go. Whip up a batch to keep on standby for busy mornings.

Benefits of oats

Hearty and satisfying, oats are a nutrition powerhouse with plenty of healthy benefits, so they're a brilliant addition to a well-balanced and varied diet.

They're a source of protein.
If you choose whole oats, they're a source of slow-release carbohydrates.
They're high in fibre, which many of us lack in our diets – important for digestion and gut health.
They contain nutrients, such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and B vitamins.

More healthy ideas

Published 8.1.2025